St. Helena's Thriving Scene and Flurry of New Businesses Make National Headlines

ST. HELENA, Calif., June 13, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- St. Helena, the culinary and wine center of the Napa Valley, is leading a thriving scene this summer with an unprecedented number of new restaurants and shops opening in town. The new and established restaurants in St. Helena have recently gained national recognition in publications including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Robb Report, San Francisco Chronicle, Food Arts, Esquire Magazine and C Magazine. St. Helena is a leading culinary innovator with farm-to-table dining and unique hand crafted cocktails. In addition, several new vibrant shops and a family-owned wine tasting room have opened on St. Helena's Main Street, increasing the number of luxury opportunities available to visitors and locals alike.

"We've welcomed an exciting array of new businesses as we enter the summer season. We couldn't be more thrilled to have the limelight on our local talent," said Pam Simpson, President and CEO of the St. Helena Chamber of Commerce. "There has never been a better time to visit St. Helena and experience the Napa Valley as it's meant to be experienced."

St. Helena is home to world-renowned restaurants and wineries, including one of just two Michelin Three-Star establishments west of Chicago, The Restaurant at Meadowood. After a kitchen remodel and cosmetic renovations this winter, The Restaurant continues to thrive under the direction of Chef Christopher Kostow, Restaurant Director Nathaniel Dorn, and their team of young professionals.

In addition to highly acclaimed dining and shopping experiences, St. Helena visitors can also take part in local activities like, CHEERS! St. Helena and the St. Helena Farmer's Market. CHEERS! St. Helena is a favorite social gathering that takes place the first Friday of every month, May through October, and features live music, with culinary and wine pairing experiences along Main Street. The St. Helena Farmer's Market runs every Friday morning, May through Labor Day, in Crane Park and features local produce and artisan foods.

Famed Chef Cindy Pawlcyn will be on hand at the June 22 Farmer's Market to sign her new cookbook, Cindy's Supper Club: Meals from Around the World to Share with Family and Friends. "St. Helena is my home, and being a longtime part of this vibrant community inspires me as a chef," said Pawlcyn. "Our access to fresh, beautiful, sustainably-farmed food and world-class wine make for some of the best celebrations in the country." 

New in St. Helena this summer:

• The St. Helena Welcome Center—A new visitor center run by the St. Helena Chamber of Commerce. Visitors can stop by for tips to purchase gifts and other local goods. Open 7 days a week. Located at 657 Main Street in St. Helena, Tel: 707-963-4456. sthelena.com
• Acres Home and Garden—The newest boutique store on St. Helena's Main Street features fun, fine and fabulous finds for the home and garden. Located at 1219 Main Street St. Helena. Tel: 707-967-1142. is.gd/xAb0GD
• The Bello Family Vineyards Tasting Room—Located next to Gott's Roadside, the new Bello Family Vineyards tasting room offers a stylish and elegant setting for fabulous local wines. Located at 929 Main Street in St. Helena. Tel: 707-967-8833. bellofamilyvineyards.com
• Brassica—In addition to releasing her cookbook, Chef Cindy Pawlcyn recently opened Brassica, her wine-friendly Mediterranean-inspired restaurant. Wine Director Jennifer Ingellis hosts 'Vintner Splash' every Saturday night where some of the Valley's most acclaimed vintners, owners and influencers mix, mingle and pour complimentary splashes of their wines from 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. Located at 641 Main St., St. Helena. Tel: 707-963-0700. brassicanapavalley.com
• Cameo Cinema—The oldest single-screen theatre in the United States, The Cameo will celebrate its 100th Birthday on May 15, 2013. A beloved institution on St. Helena's Main Street, The Cameo Cinema offers both 35 mm film projection and Digital Cinema with Dolby 3-D Capabilities, with 140 luxurious seats and 18 loveseats. Located at 1340 Main Street, St. Helena. Movie line: 707-963-9779, Office 707-963-3946. cameocinema.com
• French Blue—A beautiful and welcoming all-day neighborhood restaurant located in the heart of downtown St. Helena, designed and owned by renowned architect Howard Backen. French Blue's rustic, wood-fired Napa cooking from Chef Philip Wang is seasonally inspired from the local gardens of Rudd Farms. Located at 1429 Main Street, St. Helena. Tel: 707-968-9200. frenchbluenapa.com
• Goose & Gander—Located in the former Martini House location, Goose & Gander brings a vibrant new energy with Chef Kelly McCown's delicious rustic fare, artisanal cocktails and fine wines. Located at 1245 Spring Street, St. Helena (Just off Main Street). Tel: 707-967-8779. goosegander.com
• Gott's Roadside—The St. Helena hotspot recently added a breakfast menu as they continue to draw crowds of hamburger and milkshake lovers to its outdoor setting seven days a week. Located at 933 Main Street, St. Helena. Tel: 707-963-3486. gotts.com
• La Condesa Napa Valley—A James Beard Award nominated modern Mexican restaurant, located in the historic Keller Brothers Meats building in downtown St. Helena, La Condesa features an extensive premium tequila selection with more than 150 varieties of blue agave tequila as well as innovative specialty cocktails. Located at 1320 Main Street, St. Helena. Tel: 707-967-8111. lacondesanapavalley.com
• The Restaurant at Meadowood—The Michelin three-star Restaurant at Meadowood reopened this spring after completing an extensive kitchen remodel as well as cosmetic improvements to the dining room and bar. Led by Chef Christopher Kostow, Restaurant Director Nathaniel Dorn and Wine Director Michael Ireland, the young team delivers a singular, curated menu experience for every guest. Located at 900 Meadowood Lane, St. Helena. Tel: 707-967-1205. therestaurantatmeadowood.com

For more information about St. Helena's vibrant dining scene, shopping, lodging and things to do, visit sthelena.com. To schedule a media visit, please contact Teplin+Nuss, contact@teplinnuss.com.

About St. Helena:

St. Helena is Napa Valley's Main Street. Situated in the center of wine country, St. Helena offers sophisticated experiences including boutique wineries, highly-acclaimed restaurants, luxury lodging and spas, agro-tourism adventures, and refined shopping—all with the authenticity of the original Napa Valley. Home to the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), one of the world's most unique and inspiring campuses for culinary education, and The Cameo Cinema, the oldest single-screen theatre in the United States, St. Helena leads food and wine trends in the valley and beyond.  More information can be found at StHelena.com, on Facebook and Twitter @StHelenaCA.

About CHEERS! St. Helena:

CHEERS! St. Helena is a production of the St. Helena Chamber of Commerce, which is committed to offering a downtown social for locals and visitors alike who support Napa Valley's Main Street. CHEERS! St. Helena takes place on Main Street in St. Helena, 5:30 to 8:30pm, on the 1st Friday of every month, May through October. Attendees can enjoy local wine, restaurants, entertainment, and shops. Tickets and the CHEERS! VIP/Shop Local card can be purchased online at CheersStHelena.com. More information can be found on the web site, on Facebook and Twitter @CheersStHelena.

Media Contact:
Teplin+Nuss - teplinnuss.com
Ashley Nicole Teplin // ashley@teplinnuss.com - 310.210.3067
Holly Nuss // holly@teplinnuss.com - 415.845.1095

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